I’m Not Stiller

I’m Not Stiller by Max Frisch, published by Dalkey Archive Press in 2006, is a 377-page novel that explores themes of self-deceit and self-acceptance. The story begins with a prisoner in a small Swiss town who insists, “I’m not Stiller!” claiming his true identity is Jim White. As he navigates his imprisonment, he confesses to three unsolved murders while recounting a life filled with adventures across America and Mexico, challenging the perceptions of those around him.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into the complexities of identity and the human psyche, blending elements of fiction with reflections on the performing arts. The protagonist’s struggle to convince others of his identity highlights the tension between reality and perception, offering a unique perspective on freedom and acceptance. This edition presents Frisch’s work in English, making it accessible to a broader audience interested in literary fiction that examines profound existential themes.
Official synopsis Publisher
A renowned novel of self-deceit and self-acceptance.
Arrested and imprisoned in a small Swiss town, a prisoner begins this book with an exclamation: “I’m not Stiller!” He claims that his name is Jim White, that he has been jailed under false charges and under the wrong identity. To prove he is who he claims to be, he confesses to three unsolved murders and recalls in great detail an adventuresome life in America and Mexico among cowboys and peasants, in back alleys and docks. He is consumed by “the morbid impulse to convince,” but no one believes him. This is a harrowing account part Kafka, part Camus of the power of self-deception and the freedom that ultimately lies in self-acceptance. Simultaneously haunting and humorous, I’m Not Stiller has come to be recognized as “one of the major post-war works of fiction” and a masterpiece of German literature.
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